England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century

Jason Roy roared back into form with a masterful 79-ball hundred but England’s batting collapse saw South Africa snatch an unlikely victory on Jofra Archer’s international return.
Roy has had a prolonged lean run but registered his first 50-plus score in 15 international innings with 113 off 91 deliveries in the first of three ODIs against the Proteas in Bloemfontein.
He put on 146 in 19.3 overs with fellow opener Dawid Malan, who amassed 59 off 55 balls, but England badly lost their way thereafter in a chase of 299, all out for 271 in 44.2 overs to lose by 27 runs.
Below the openers, only captain Jos Buttler (36) reached 20 for the tourists on an easy-paced pitch, with Anrich Nortje claiming four for 62, while Sisanda Magala collected an important three-wicket haul.
South Africa posted 298 for seven with Rassie van der Dussen amassing 111 off 117 balls but Sam Curran checked their progress on more than one occasion to finish with figures of three for 35 off nine overs.
Latest
-
News
Survivors group criticises ECB over ‘lack of transparency’ around Hyam report
Matthew Hyam was sentenced to two years and four months’ imprisonment in September 2021.
-
News
‘Outstanding candidate’ Peter Moores to lead Melbourne Stars in Big Bash
Moores becomes the only overseas head coach in Australia’s T20 competition.
-
News
England captain Ben Stokes to manage fitness during IPL ahead of Ashes
Stokes has already started work with Chennai Super Kings, who signed him for a bumper £1.6million in December.
-
The Hundred
Mike Hussey hoping gamble on Pakistan ‘big stars’ pays dividends for Welsh Fire
Pace duo Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf were snapped up during last week’s Hundred draft.
-
Scotland
Cricket Scotland anti-racism group members quit over perceived lack of progress
Cricket Scotland chairman Anjan Luthra last week claimed progress was being made.
-
South Africa
Johnson Charles and Quinton de Kock make history in record Proteas run chase
Charles posted the fastest T20I century by a West Indian.
-
West Indies
Johnson Charles smashes Chris Gayle’s record for West Indies’ fastest T20 ton
Charles hammered 118 from 46 balls against South Africa, reaching three figures from 39 deliveries.
-
England
Sam Billings defends decision to pick Pakistan ahead of tour action with England
The 31-year-old has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board to change the financial situation for players.
-
The Ashes
Zak Crawley issues a case for the defence as attention shifts to an Ashes summer
The 25-year-old batter had a disappointing winter with the bat but says he has a good defensive technique.
-
South Africa
I’ve made up my mind – David Bedingham picks South Africa over England
Bedingham qualifies for a British passport in two years.